City elected officials announced last week that the maintenance budget for the City University of New York will increase by $71 million. This money will be used to help with issues with fire alarm systems, boiler problems and issues with old buildings.

This $71 million has been approved in this year's 2013 City budget and will be allocated over a four-year period. The State will also match the $71 million in funds to create a total of $142 million to help maintain schools in the CUNY system.

While announcing the funding last week at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Speaker Christine Quinn said that without this money, CUNY schools face problems keeping their facilities in good condition.

“We now have $142 million distributed mostly to the community colleges to do things like put in heating systems and fire alarms and fix crumbling façade,” Quinn said. “What this means is that more of the buildings will be usable and safer for students.”

LaGuardia Community College is already benefiting from the money. The school is replacing the facade on the side of their Center 3 Building. The 100-year-old building, a former Nabisco factory, will receive a new modern, energy-efficient façade.